SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ITHACA
24615 State Highway 58
Richland Center, Wisconsin 53581
School Board Meeting
Minutes from February 8, 2016
1. Meeting was called to order by Mr. Huffar at 7:00 p.m. Verification of meeting notice – posted on web, doors of school, community gym and faxed to WRCO and Richland Observer.
2. Roll Call: Mrs. Burch, Mr. Huebsch, Mr. Huffar, Mr. Magee, Mrs. Mueller, and Mr. Manning were present. Mr. Louis was absent.
3. Motion made by Mr. Magee to approve the agenda. Motion seconded by Mrs. Burch. Motion carried 6-0.
4. Motion made by Mrs. Mueller to approve the Minutes of January 13, 2016. Motion seconded by Mr. Huebsch. Motion carried 6-0.
5. Citizens Forum: No one spoke
6. Finance Committee Report was given by Mr. Magee – Bills of note were check # 43872 to Odysseyware for 2015-16 license in the amount of $4,375.00; check # 43887 to Susan Peterman for Food Service Consultation, final payment of $4,012.50; check # 43907 to Disney Destinations for the spring break Band Trip (reimbursed back to the district from the booster club) in the amount of $20,073.60; check # 43931 to Complete Control for the installation of water heater in the amount of $12,675.00; check #43913 to Ryan Lord for reimbursement of X-country skis in the amount of $1,192.09; check #43936 to CED Credit for fluorescent bulbs and ballasts in the amount of $1,229.24; check # 43952 to Richland Schools for Ithaca’s share of X-Country Program costs in the amount of $1,204.89; and check # 43954 to Cindy Schmitz for reimbursement of Stars Reading program in the amount of $85.50.
7. Administrator’s Reports
7.1. District Administrator’s Report – Mr. Smudde reported on the start of second semester and the number of inclement days we have had and where we stand in regards to required hours of instruction. Mrs. Wallace and Mr. Smudde have worked on and submitted the 2015-16 Compliance Review for Homeless Students (McKinney-Vento Act). Mr. Smudde reported that the Highly Qualified Teacher report was submitted to the Department of Public Instruction. Mr. Smudde reported that Mrs. Richards and Mr. Smudde are scheduled to meet with our M3 representative, Breanna Hellenbrand, to discuss the health insurance benefit for 2016-17 with the major topics being rate increases, plan design, and possible cost savings. Mr. Smudde reported that preparation is being done for the upcoming Food service audit that will take place in the second full week in February. Mr. Smudde reported that this is the time of year that staffing, salary, and benefit conversations take place and that he is working on gathering information so that factual conversations can take place. Mr. Smudde also reported on an article that was in the Spring Green Home News relating to an alleged negative comment made by the River Valley District Administrator regarding Ithaca being a second rate school district.
7.2. Principal’s Report – Mr. Coenen talked about snow days, winter sports, wrestling state qualifier recognition night, the Google booth, and the radio programs that went on during the month of January. Mr. Coenen reported on the next stage for Educator Effectiveness that will be taking place, which is to verify SLO and PPG plans. Mr. Coenen reported that Roger Berg from CESA 3 came on January 25th regarding training for Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS). February’s PLC day will be focusing on infusing math concepts throughout the K-12 curriculum. The Team Approach to Problem Solving (TAPS) meetings have been able to give staff a change to problem solve and voice concerns on a regular basis with administration. Mr. Coenen noted that student health issues continue to be of concern. There has been a great deal of illness and numerous isolated cases of lice in the elementary. Lastly, Mr. Coenen talked about 2016-17 calendar options for next school year and will be talked about more in depth later tonight as this item is on the agenda.
7.3. Technology Manager’s Report - Mr. Hess reported that the district is pretty much ready to move forward with the Google Chrome book initiative. Once we are ready to move forward with this, He suggested that we work with Melissa Elmer from Southwest Tech to get a day or two of training to help educators with little to no experience navigating the GoogleVerse and Google Classroom. Mr. Hess reported that he attended a training session at SWTC in Fennimore concerning Google devices, email and website admin duties. Technology in the district, he reported, is in a bind with demand for laptop/pc’s being greater than the supply. As educators continue to move forward with curriculum and the use of technology there is a great need for additional devices to be available. There is also a need for the district to address the need for PK – 6th technology, as the NEO2’s are failing and production of them has been discontinued so neither hardware nor software are available any longer.
7.4. Athletic Director – Mr. Rice gave updates to the winter sports. Middle Schools Girls Basketball have 2 weeks left of their season with 5 games. Middle School Wrestling hosted a wrestling invite on January 25, which was well attended, the wrestling club sponsored a State Qualifier Night so many Ithaca wrestling state qualifier alumni were present. Boys High School basketball has 3 weeks left in the season with 8 games to play. This is a very busy time playing make-up games as well as the regularly scheduled game to finish up the seasons. Girls High School basketball is currently tied with Seneca for 2nd place. All teams are doing well.
7.5. Business Manager – Mrs. Richards shared the reports that have been filed since the board last met. Mrs. Richards reported that WEA Trust has announced that they will no longer be offering Short Term Disability Plans after June 30, 2016 and that they are endorsing National Insurance Services and will be transitioning our plan. Mrs. Richards reported on an e-mail that Mr. Favreau sent in regards to donations given by Lime Ridge Ag to the Ithaca Chapter of FFA and that these donations will be placed on the next agenda for board approval. Mrs. Richards handed out Campaign Registration Statement forms to each of the board members explaining the Wisconsin Act 117 requirement of the filing of an annual renewal of an exemption from filing campaign finance reports for all school board members. Mrs. Richards provided the school board with Cash Flow information for the 2015-16 school year thus far.
8. New Business
8.1. Motion made by Mr. Huebsch to approve the bills and balances with receipts of $ 782,091.29 and disbursements of $ 614,627.20. Motion seconded by Mr. Magee. Roll call vote – Mrs. Mueller-yes; Mr. Huebsch-yes; Mr. Magee; Mr. Huffar-yes; Mrs. Burch-yes; Mr. Manning-yes. Motion carried 6-0.
8.2. Discussion took place regarding 2016 Homecoming Date and Willow Valley Church Wedding scheduled for the same day. No formal action taken.
8.3. Motion made by Mr. Huebsch to approve the Resolution authorizing Issuance of an order relating to School District Boundaries. Motion seconded by Mr. Manning. Roll call vote – Mr. Manning-yes; Mrs. Mueller-yes; Mr. Huebsch-yes; Mr. Magee-yes; Mr. Huffar-yes; Mrs. Burch-yes. Motion carried 6-0.
8.4. Discussion took place regarding Attic Insulation for Elementary wing. No formal action – to be budgeted in the 2016-17 school year. No formal action.
8.5. Motion made by Mr. Magee to approve the 2016 Summer School with a budget of $25,000. Motion seconded by Mr. Huebsch. Roll call vote – Mr. Huffar-yes; Mrs. Burch-yes; Mr. Manning-yes; Mrs. Mueller—yes; Mr. Huebsch-yes; Mr. Magee-yes. Motion carried 6-0.
8.6. Motion made by Mrs. Mueller to approve March 15th and April 4th at 6:00 p.m. for Cross Functional Staff Listening Sessions. Motion seconded by Mrs. Burch. Motion carried 6-0.
8.7. Discussion regarding Waste Management Services – no formal action taken.
8.8. Discussion regarding replacement of Gym Storage Room Doors. – no formal action taken – will be budgeted for in the 2016-17 budget.
8.9. Mr. Smudde shared about workshops he attended at the WASB Convention held in Milwaukee in January.
8.10. Discussion took place regarding 2016-17 School Calendar – no formal action taken.
8.11. Motion made by Mr. Magee to approve setting the next regular board meeting for March 14, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Motion seconded by Mrs. Mueller. Motion carried 6-0.
8.12. Motion made by Mr. Huebsch to set next Finance Meeting for March 14, 2016 at 6:30 pm. Motion seconded by Mr. Magee. Motion carried 6-0.
9. Old business
9.1. Discussion took place regarding Water Softener and Hot Water Booster Replacement. Bids to be obtained. No formal action taken.
9.2 Discussion took place regarding Lawn Mower replacement. Bids to be obtained. Action tabled.
10 Motion made by Mr. Manning to adjourn to closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85 (1) (c) for “Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility”. Seconded by Mrs. Burch. Roll Call vote: Mr. Huffar-yes; Mrs. Burch – yes; Mr. Manning – yes; Mrs. Mueller – yes; Mr. Huebsch-yes; Mr. Magee – yes. Motion carried 6-0.
11 Motion made by Mr. Magee to reconvene to open session. Motion seconded by Mrs. Mueller. Motion carried - 6-0.
12 Motion made by Mr. Huebsch to approve a 2 year contract for Mr. Dan Rice. Motion seconded by Mr. Manning. Roll Call vote: Mr. Magee-yes; Mr. Huffar – Yes; Mrs. Burch – yes; Mr. Manning – yes; Mrs. Mueller – abstain; Mr. Huebsch – yes. Motion carried 6-0.
13 No action on JV Baseball Coach
14 No action on JV Softball Coach
15 Motion made by Mrs. Burch to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Magee. Motion carried 6-0.
Submitted by Pat Magee
School Board Clerk
February 8, 2016Page 3